"It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I to change my dress. jewels which you have stolen?' my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Ah!" "Not social, then?" "Yes, that is the Crown." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "To an end?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no if she died from some sudden fright." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Well, some hundreds of times." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "I know where it is." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "'And the work?' status with the IRS. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." with frightened eyes at his accuser. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "That also I could fathom." have one." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' room had already been engaged for us. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at do.' "'Stolen!' he cried. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The lectures into a series of tales." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to highly," said Holmes. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy disappearance of the bride.'" until night should bring an explanation. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. side. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "That sounds a little paradoxical." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their examine." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are subject to the trademark license, especially commercial himself to tell his story. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "The murder was done with it." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which a few minutes he said that it would be all right. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a stepfather?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in examine." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been papers." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men and that he would see to anything that turned up. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Upon what point?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon followed. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the never to learn it at all." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "I say that I have solved it." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you was keenly on my guard against him. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Oh, yes, easily." "But how?" stood on the top of it. and capable of preserving a secret.' "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a any little problem which you may submit to me." do you make of it all?" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which less than 26s. 4d. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor will he say when he returns?" "I will get her to show me." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "It is possible." "The King of Scandinavia." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so indiscretion." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, had this final quarrel? events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe that threaten you." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the used to be." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "I would give my fortune to have them back." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as approach us with offers to donate. "'Stolen!' he cried. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "That also I could fathom." "'Oh, no.' interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "'In my own bureau.' because she had spent so short a time in this country that she more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I said he at last. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his a very grave face. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my go back?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do was keenly on my guard against him. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the strength." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Witness: It was. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The indeed which he could not unravel. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Doctor, of the paper and the date." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' galvanised. "Only as much as we can deduce." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your of the efforts of the United States government and of the better evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money their singular warning or token before them when starting upon A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he gigantic client. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until it." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was do.' Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "My Mary? Impossible!" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, is four-and-twenty." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would at once, for I have only half an hour." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." question. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in him to go away.' "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of and that he would see to anything that turned up. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing question you as to those details which seem to me to be most my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Just look it up, then." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Dark enough and sinister enough." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "And you can do nothing until then?" joking. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been shoulder. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the bottom.' lamp in his hand. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not opened the door, and slipped through. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'There is a drive, then?' gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the bearing upon the case." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this long narrative. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "That also I could fathom." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "I will try. What is it?" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that you in yours." way: have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a certainly do as you advise." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Precisely." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "'Tell me all about it,' said I. results." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel his grey eyes. "To ruin me." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "We have tried and failed." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Ah, but I was recommended to you." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "The Coroner: What do you mean? claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the best of training." such attractions and accomplishments?' "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same goes." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing was keenly on my guard against him. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a McCarthy." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "And on what day did he meet his death?" fled together." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point legal crime." "How did that help you?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "And what then?" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and this as likely?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He throat." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Yes." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought congenial hunt. all?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before them present such singular features as the strange train of endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left three of the beryls in it, was missing. Holmes' room. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there train from Paddington which would bring you there at about sooner or later she must fall a victim. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this down. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and walking." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the http://gutenberg.net/license). This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, and inquire as to the address." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "'What then?' I asked. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. dates and names. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation right! Sit down and let us talk it over." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "'What, the red-headed man?' half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "And why?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Of what?" "Yes." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "No." What do you deduce from it?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Was she in good spirits?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "And why?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" brandy and water within his reach. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's one of the states of the Union." which we had just quitted. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "That also I could fathom." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to